365 Gay

Adam Lambert’s concert on Saturday was unexpectedly NOT met with protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church [1]. Lambert fans in Missouri were ready to counter-protest, bringing over 200 people holding signs like, “It’s okay to be gay.” Lambert himself went outside before the concert to greet the dedicated group. According to the Daily Kos [2] he signed autographs onto protest signs as he thanked supporters. Later, he tweeted [3] “Amazing Anti-Hate protest outside venue. Completely outnumbered the Westboro Bastard Church of Ignorance. Love overcomes hate. I LOVE FAGS!!” The Westboro Baptist Church is known for their “God Hates Fags” signs. [4] During the show Lambert kissed bass-player Tommy Joe Ratliff and said, “Suck on that, Westboro.” The News-Leader [5] of Springfield, Missouri quoted a protester from Oklahoma City Julie Willits:“If the world had more people who were just as kind as Adam Lambert, you wouldn't need this crap. All this stuff he's put up with, he never once turned around and said 'I hate you guys, too.” It is unclear why the Westboro Baptist Church didn’t show up to their scheduled protest. [1] http://www.365gay.com/uncategorized/an-open-letter-to-westboro-baptist-churchs-fred-phelps/ [2] http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/8/8/891301/-Westboro-Baptist-counter-protest-at-Adam-Lambert-concert-in-Missouri-draws-200 [3] http://twitter.com/adamlambert [4] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-adam-lambert-kiss-gay-top.jpg [5] http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100808/NEWS01/8080393/1007/NEWS01/Westboro-Baptist-Church-a-no-show-for-Adam-Lambert-concert-protest

Hong Kong-- A Hong Kong court began reviewing Monday a government decision to bar a transgender woman from marrying her male partner in the first such case to be heard in the city's legal system, the woman's lawyer said. [1] The woman, a local resident in her 20s who can be only identified as "W" under court order, was born male but underwent sex-change surgery over the past five years but was prevented from marrying her boyfriend by Hong Kong's marriage registry, her lawyer Michael Vidler said. "She is a woman and she should be entitled to the same rights as a woman," Vidler said by phone. The case underscores the uncertainty of marriage law when it comes to people who have changed their biological gender in the socially conservative ethnic Chinese community. Vidler said authorities have acknowledged W's new gender in other respects: her hormone therapy and sex change surgery were paid for by the government, and she has obtained a new identity card and school certificates stating she is female. But when she tried to marry a man last year, her application was refused because her birth certificate, which cannot be changed, still states she is male and Hong Kong bans same-sex marriage. The Hong Kong High Court's review of the marriage registry's decision was set for two days starting Monday. "We're not trying to change the law and we don't see this case as affecting or requiring changes to any law," Vidler said. "We just want her to be seen as a woman and treated as a woman." Transgender marriage is permitted in many European countries and some U.S. states. In Asia, countries that allow it include Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and mainland China, according to Prof. Sam Winter at the University of Hong Kong, who studies transgender issues. "On sexual matters, Hong Kong is a fairly conservative society. In this case, the government clearly takes the view that W is a man, and it is afraid stiff of opening the door to same-sex marriage," Winter said. "But W is a woman and should be regarded as a woman and should be given the rights of a woman to a heterosexual marriage." The government's position effectively means that W, though anatomically a woman, can only be allowed to marry another woman, Winter said. "That is a fairly delicious irony that comes out of the government's policy." [1] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-transgender-symbol.jpg

Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial primary run-off tomorrow will likely determine the next governor of the state. Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel is leading the race against her opponent, former Congressman Nathan Deal. Sarah Palin endorsed Handel, which was a shock to many as Handel is “relatively centrist.” [1] Georgian conservatives have accused her of not being pro-life enough because Handel supports the right to abort in the cases of incest, rape, and maternal life risk. In her time as Chairman of Fulton County, Handel awarded Planned Parenthood several grants, but she clarifies on her website [2], “since I am pro-life, I do not support the mission of Planned Parenthood.” She said the money went specifically for programs “for breast and cervical cancer screening, as well as a ‘Healthy Babies Initiative.’” Handel has also been “accused” of writing a check to the Log Cabin Republicans. Media has reported that her campaign denies the sponsorship, but the she personally said that she had made the donation. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published three email exchanges between Handel and The Log Cabin Republicans, which the group turned over. In a 2002 email, Handel reportedly wrote, “As I’ve told you, I do support domestic partner benefits, and confirm my position here, although I do have concerns about a domestic partner registry. Bottom line is that I will work with you and other GLBT leaders to develop workable legislation.” But her spokesperson Dan McLagan said, “Karen never supported domestic partnership benefits. The one opportunity she had to vote on the issue, she voted against them. And she did not send the e-mail.” Last month, Handel was interviewed about her views on gay rights [3]. She said that she does not believe in gay marriage and she would consider legislation making gay adoption illegal. Handel: I think that for a child to be in a household — in a family in a household with a situation where the parents are not married, as in one man and one woman, is not the best household for a child. Interviewer (Doug Richards): Is it better or worse than a single parent household? H: Doug, I’m really trying to be straightforward with you but I’m not going to debate all the nuances. I’ve made it abundantly clear that I think that marriage is between a man and a woman. And that’s what I believe, and I don’t know what more you would like me to add to that. I: I guess I want to know why you think gay parents aren’t as legitimate as heterosexual parents. H: Because I don’t. Handel has been called “relatively centrist,” but the focus should clearly be on the word “relatively.” Her three most competitive opponents in the primaries last month, The State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, former U.S. congressman Nathan Deal [4] and former state senator Eric Johnson have all been accused of money laundering [5], and one of her less likely opponents, Ray McBerry was accused of having sexual relations with an underage girl. [1] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-georgia-karen-handel-top.jpg [2] http://blog.karenhandel.com/2010/07/karen-handel-on-life-and-planned-parenthood/ [3] http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=146501&catid=40 [4] http://www.johnoxendine.com/ [5] http://www.johnsonforgeorgians.com/

Justin Timberlake is set to play the voice of a gay character on The Cleveland Show- a spin-off program from Family Guy. "Terry [voiced by 30 Rock actor Jason Sudeikis] falls in love with a guy voiced by Justin," Cleveland creator Rich Appel told Us Weekly [1]. [2] He added, "Justin is just hysterical!" In addition to Paul, Terry's love interest, Timberlake will play the voice of a "singing booger." But if you've long been waiting for J.T. to go gay, you're going to have to wait a little longer still. The episode is not scheduled to run until February 2011. [1] http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/justin-timberlake-to-play-gay---201058 [2] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-justin-timberlake-top.jpg

Iranian youth on death row. Ebrahim Hamidi [1] is an 18 year old Iranian. He was convicted as a juvenile of sexual assault against another man, and placed on death row. The alleged victim admitted he lied and has removed the complaint. There is a confession, but that came about because of police brutality. The court in East Azerbaijan province is refusing to void the young man's conviction. His lawyer, [2]Mohammad Mostafaei [3],  had to flee the country because he is defending a woman who is set to be stoned for the "crime" of adultery. [4] Manager throws out slur at gay umpire. Oh, the halcyon  field of dreams. The Edmonton Capital's manager, Brent Bowers [5], was displeased with a call made by gay umpire Van Raaphorst. The manager went crazy, called the ump a "faggot" and included grabbing his ankles in his tiff. This outburst earned Bowers only a two game suspension in the Golden Baseball League, a rather light slap on the wrist. “If (Bowers) had run up on an African-American umpire and started using the n-word in a similar derogatory derivation, there’d be a lot of controversy around it. It’s a serious matter,” said Ebby Bakhtiar, Raaphort's lawyer. “Something needs to be done.” UPDATE: Got part of the story wrong. Bowers [6] was suspended for the rest of the season and fined $5,000. He then resigned. The GBL issued a statement, maintaining it was committed to diversity. "As a league we are fortunate to have a very diverse culture regarding race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation as the employee base amongst the teams has a high percentage of minorities throughout the league, including the only woman playing professional baseball along with minority managers, umpires, players, and front office staff as key contributors throughout the league," wrote league commissioner Kevin [7]Outcalt [8]. "We do not tolerate personal abuse such as the incident regarding Brent Bowers." [9] Thomas joins NOH8 campaign. Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas and son Joshua [10], a DJ of note, are the newest members of the NOH8 campaign. If you are a Knicks fan, there is nothing the elder Thomas can do clean his reputation. He ruined the team with questionable decisions, drunken sailor spending, and a sexual harassment lawsuit. Also Earvin "Magic"  Johnosn [11], another Hall of Famer, is convinced Thomas spread rumors about Johnson's sexuality back in the day. [12] Kramer spouts something about Streisand, his play, movie rights and gays dying. Barbara [13] Streisand [14] releases a statement about Judge Vaughn Walker's [15] decision. Larry Kramer whines if Babs put his play The Normal Heart [16] on the big screen, gays would not have died from AIDS  in the 1980s. Kramer's rant makes sense if  logic, reason and sense are disregarded (the playwright and Roseanne [17] should do tea soon). Is he ever going to give up his self centered cry baby shtick? [18] Women, aging, and sexuality. Check out this report at NPR [19] on late-life lesbians, women who fall in love with other women after years of heterosexuality. It adds more depth than what was offered by The View's Elizabeth Hasslebeck [20]. According to her, older women go Sappho because straight men are chasing young nubile things. [21] Ted Olson on Fox News. Ted Olson [22] was interviewed on the Fox Sunday program yesterday. He was pressed by host Chris Wallace on the judicial activism canard; Olson hit an absolutely beautiful home run: "Well, would you like your right to free speech? Would you like Fox’s right to free press put up to a vote and say well, if five states approved it, let’s wait till the other 45 states do? These are fundamental constitutional rights. The Bill of Rights guarantees Fox News and you, Chris Wallace, the right to speak. It’s in the constitution. And the Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the denial of our citizens of the equal rights to equal access to justice under the law, is a violation of our fundamental rights. Yes, it’s encouraging that many states are moving towards equality on the basis of sexual orientation, and I’m very, very pleased about that. … We can’t wait for the voters to decide that that immeasurable harm, that is unconstitutional, must be eliminated." [23] 365Gay Book club. Get out those bifocals. Our reading club will start with Secret Historian [24]. This is a  low key affair, so no nightmares about pop quizzes. The rules are simple: read the thing and respond to the chapters on the dates listed. If you don't read the book, refrain from commentating (no thread hijacking). Here are the dates for the chapters. September 8: chapters 1,2 and 3; September 15: chapters 4, 5 and 6;  September 22: chapters 7, 8 and 9;  September 29: chapters 10, 11 and 12; October 6: chapters 13, 14 and 15; October 13: chapters, 15, 17 and 18; October 20: chapter 19 to the end (including the afterword). [25] Going to the Beck rally. On August 28 Ali Davis [26] and I will be in Washington, DC reporting on Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor [27] rally. According to the press release,  it's supposed to be non-political get together that will "honor the troops, unite the American people under the principles of integrity and truth, and make a pledge to restore  honor within ourselves and our country." The Beckian logic is superb. We had honor, but somehow lost it, and need him,  plus grizzly mama bear Sarah Palin, to find the precious commodity again. We will have camcorders, talking to folk, getting interviews and having a good time. If you are there and see us, say hello. [28] Trans beefcake, Earlier this year we interviewed Amos Mac, editor of the new trans 'zine  Original Plumbing [29]. For your viewing pleasure here are OP models Saul, Ian Harvie, and Matteo. By the way, Matteo will be gracing the publication's "Workin' Stiff" issue---it hits  the stands on August 27! [30] [31] [32] [1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/aug/06/iran-ebrahim-hamadi-death-penalty [2] http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129063869 [3] http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129063869 [4] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/noose-top.jpg [5] http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/columnists/andrew_hanon/2010/08/06/14950041.html [6] http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/edmonton-baseball-coach-resigns/article1666272/ [7] http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/blogs/Tirades+tolerated/3375925/story.html [8] http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/blogs/Tirades+tolerated/3375925/story.html [9] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-baseball-allstar-top.jpg [10] http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2010/08/06/isiah-thomas-supports-equality/ [11] http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2009/10/23/magic-blames-isiah-for-gay-rumors/ [12] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Thomas-NOH8-top.jpg [13] http://www.towleroad.com/2010/08/larry-kramer-barbra-streisand-a-hypocrite-on-gay-rights.html [14] http://www.towleroad.com/2010/08/larry-kramer-barbra-streisand-a-hypocrite-on-gay-rights.html [15] http://www.365gay.com/news/prop-8-judge-to-receive-stay-arguments-today/ [16] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Normal_Heart [17] http://www.365gay.com/blog/030910-roseanne-apologizes-and-insults-at-the-same-time/ [18] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Larry-Kramer-top.jpg [19] http://www.365gay.com/news/study-female-sexual-fluidity/ [20] http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/07/28/2010-07-28_elisabeth_hasselbecks_lesbian_theory_older_women_just_couldnt_get_a_man.html [21] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/women_hold_hands.jpg [22] http://thinkprogress.org/2010/08/08/olson-wallace-fns/ [23] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Ted-Olson-top.jpg [24] http://www.365gay.com/blog/072710-the-biography-of-a-sexual-outlaw-and-historian/ [25] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Steward-top.jpg [26] http://twitter.com/Ali_Davis [27] http://www.glennbeck.com/828/ [28] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Glenn-Beck-top.jpg [29] http://www.365gay.com/blog/022310-a-new-trans-zine-enters-the-market/ [30] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Sal-top.jpg [31] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Ian-Harvie-top.jpg [32] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Matteo-tp.jpg

Mexico City -- Cardinal Norberto Rivera sharply criticized Mexico's Supreme Court on Sunday for upholding a law allowing homosexuals to marry in the capital, calling the ruling "aberrant" and "immoral." The Roman Catholic archbishop said it was wrong to go against Christian doctrine that recognizes only marriages between a man and a woman. "The church cannot fail to call evil evil," Rivera said in a statement. [1] On Thursday, the Supreme Court on an 8-2 vote upheld the constitutionality of gay marriages in Mexico City [2] under a law passed by the state legislature. The federal government had sought to nullify the law. The Federal District is the only part of Mexico that allows gay marriages. The city government said last week that since 320 same-sex couples had married since March, 173 of them male and 147 female. Rivera said homosexuals have suffered abuses from the broader society, but argued that allowing same-sex marriages is not the way to try to atone for such injustices. He called same-sex unions "inherently immoral," saying they "distort the nature of marriage raised by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament." [1] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-catholic-faith-top.jpg [2] http://www.365gay.com/news/mexican-supreme-court-upholds-gay-marriage-in-mexico-city/

Iranian youth  on death row. Ebrahim Hamidi [1] is an 18 year old Iranian. He was convicted as juvenile of sexual assault against anther man, and placed on death row. The alleged victim admitted he lied and has removed the complaint. There is a confession, but that came about because of police brutality. The court in East Azerbaijan province is refusing to code the young man's conviction. His lawyer, [2]Mohammad Mostafaei [3],  had to flee the country because he is defending a woman who is set to be stoned for the "crime" of adultery. [4] Manager throws out slur at gay umpire. Oh, the halcyon  field of dreams. The Edmonton Capital's manager, Brent Bowers [5], was displeased with a call made by gay umpire Van Raaphorst. The manager went crazy, called the ump a "faggot" and included grabbing his ankles in his tiff. This outburst earned Bowers only a two game suspension in the Golden Baseball League, a rather light slap on the wrist. “If (Bowers) had run up on an African-American umpire and started using the n-word in a similar derogatory derivation, there’d be a lot of controversy around it. It’s a serious matter,” said Ebby Bakhtiar, Raaphort's lawyer. “Something needs to be done.” [6] Thomas joins NOH8 campaign. Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas and son Joshua [7], a DJ of note, are the newest members of the NOH8 campaign. If you are a Knicks fan, there is nothing the elder Thomas can do clean his reputation. He ruined the team with questionable decisions, drunken sailor spending, and a sexual harassment lawsuit. Also Earvin "Magic"  Johnosn [8], another Hall of Famer, is convinced Thomas spread rumors about Johnson's sexuality back in the day. [9] Kramer spouts something about Streisand, his play, movie rights and gays dying. Barbara [10] Streisand [11] releases a statement about Judge Vaughn Walker's [12] decision. Larry Kramer whines if Babs put his play The Normal Heart [13] on the big screen, gays would not have died in the 1980s. Kramer's rant makes sense if  logic, reason and sense are disregarded (the playwright and Roseanne [14] should do tea soon). Is he ever going to give up his self centered cry baby shtick? [15] Women, aging, and sexuality. Check out this report at NPR [16] on late-life lesbians, women who fall in love with other women after years of heterosexuality. It adds more depth to a complex topic than offered by The View's Elizabeth Hasslebeck [17]. According to her, older women go Sappho because straight men are chasing young nubile things. [18] Ted Olson on Fox News. Ted Olson [19] was interviewed on the Fox Sunday program yesterday. He was pressed by host Chris Wallace on the judicial activism canard; Olson hit an absolutely beautiful home run. "Well, would you like your right to free speech? Would you like Fox’s right to free press put up to a vote and say well, if five states approved it, let’s wait till the other 45 states do? These are fundamental constitutional rights. The Bill of Rights guarantees Fox News and you, Chris Wallace, the right to speak. It’s in the constitution. And the Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the denial of our citizens of the equal rights to equal access to justice under the law, is a violation of our fundamental rights. Yes, it’s encouraging that many states are moving towards equality on the basis of sexual orientation, and I’m very, very pleased about that. … We can’t wait for the voters to decide that that immeasurable harm, that is unconstitutional, must be eliminated." [20] 365Gay Book club. Get out those bifocals. Our reading club will start with Secret Historian [21]. It will be low key, so no nightmares about pop quizzes. The rules are simple: read the thing and respond to the chapters on the dates listed. If you don't read the book, refrain from commentating (no thread hijacking). Here are the dates for the chapters. September 8: chapters 1,2 and 3; September 15: chapters 4, 5 and 6;  September 22: chapters 7, 8 and 9;  September 29: chapters 10, 11 and 12; October 6: chapters 13, 14 and 15; October 13: chapters, 15, 17 and 18; October 20: chapter 19 to the end (including the afterword). [22] Going to the Beck rally. On August 28 Ali Davis [23] and I will be in Washington, DC reporting on Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor [24] rally. According to the press release it's supposed to be non-political get together that will "honor the troops, unite the American people under the principles of integrity and truth, and make a pledge to restore  honor within ourselves and our country." The Beckian logic is superb. We had honor, but somehow lost it, and need him (and grizzly mama bear Sarah Palin) to help us find it again. We will have camcorders, talking to folk, getting interviews and having a good time. If you are there and see us, say hello. [25] Trans beefcake, Earlier this year we interviewed Amos Mac, editor of the new trans 'zine  Original Plumbing [26]. For your viewing pleasure here are OP models Saul, Ian Harvie and Matteo. By the way Matteo will be gracing the publication's "Workin' Stiff" issue---it hits  the stands on August 27! [27] [28] [29] [1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/aug/06/iran-ebrahim-hamadi-death-penalty [2] http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129063869 [3] http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129063869 [4] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/noose-top.jpg [5] http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/columnists/andrew_hanon/2010/08/06/14950041.html [6] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-baseball-allstar-top.jpg [7] http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2010/08/06/isiah-thomas-supports-equality/ [8] http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2009/10/23/magic-blames-isiah-for-gay-rumors/ [9] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Thomas-NOH8-top.jpg [10] http://www.towleroad.com/2010/08/larry-kramer-barbra-streisand-a-hypocrite-on-gay-rights.html [11] http://www.towleroad.com/2010/08/larry-kramer-barbra-streisand-a-hypocrite-on-gay-rights.html [12] http://www.365gay.com/news/prop-8-judge-to-receive-stay-arguments-today/ [13] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Normal_Heart [14] http://www.365gay.com/blog/030910-roseanne-apologizes-and-insults-at-the-same-time/ [15] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Larry-Kramer-top.jpg [16] http://www.365gay.com/news/study-female-sexual-fluidity/ [17] http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/07/28/2010-07-28_elisabeth_hasselbecks_lesbian_theory_older_women_just_couldnt_get_a_man.html [18] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/women_hold_hands.jpg [19] http://thinkprogress.org/2010/08/08/olson-wallace-fns/ [20] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Ted-Olson-top.jpg [21] http://www.365gay.com/blog/072710-the-biography-of-a-sexual-outlaw-and-historian/ [22] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Steward-top.jpg [23] http://twitter.com/Ali_Davis [24] http://www.glennbeck.com/828/ [25] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Glenn-Beck-top.jpg [26] http://www.365gay.com/blog/022310-a-new-trans-zine-enters-the-market/ [27] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Sal-top.jpg [28] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Ian-Harvie-top.jpg [29] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/Matteo-tp.jpg

San Francisco -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger [1], who twice vetoed legislation that would have legalized same-sex marriage, has surprised gay rights supporters by urging a federal judge to allow gay couples to resume marrying in the state without further delay. [2] Lawyers for Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Jerry Brown, two gay couples and the city of San Francisco all filed legal motions Friday asking Chief U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker to implement his ruling striking California's voter-approved same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional. "The Administration believes the public interest is best served by permitting the court's judgment to go into effect, thereby restoring the right of same-sex couples to marry in California," the Republican governor's lawyers said on his behalf. "Doing so is consistent with California's long history of treating all people and their relationships with equal dignity and respect." In his 136-page decision overturning Proposition 8 Wednesday, Walker said he was ordering the state to cease enforcing the 22-month-old ban. But he agreed to suspend the order until he could review the briefs submitted Friday. The measure's sponsors have asked the judge to keep the ban in effect until their appeal of Walker's ruling invalidating Proposition 8 is decided by higher courts. They argued in court papers filed earlier this week that resuming gay marriage now would cause legal chaos if the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals or U.S. Supreme Court eventually reverse Walker's ruling. It was unclear when the judge would decide whether to grant a stay that would prevent marriage licenses from being issued to gay couples during the appeals process. If he does clear the way for same-sex couples to wed, lawyers for sponsors of Proposition 8 said Friday they would seek an emergency order from the 9th Circuit to prevent that from happening. The governor and attorney general almost always defend state laws when they are challenged, regardless of their personal views. But in this case, both Schwarzenegger and Brown refused to participate in fighting the lawsuit aimed at overturning the ban, even though they both were named as defendants. That left the job of defending Proposition 8 to its backers, a coalition of religious and conservative groups known as Protect Marriage. Although Schwarzenegger opposed the ban when it appeared on the November 2008 ballot and said after the election that it he hoped a court would overturn it, he officially took a neutral position in the lawsuit. During the year it was in Walker's courtroom, the judge several times pointedly told the governor's lawyer he was interested in knowing Schwarzenegger's position on the case. Schwarzenegger's Friday motion was his boldest pronouncement on the issue. "His support today and at other critical junctures in our struggle against this discriminatory measure goes a long way in helping us realize our ultimate dream of achieving full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Californians," said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, the state's largest gay rights group. In 2005, Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill approved by the Legislature that would have legalized same-sex marriage. At the time, California had a law passed by voters in 2000 limiting marriage to a man and a woman. The governor said in his veto message he thought it was wrong for lawmakers to overturn a popular vote. He took the same position when the Legislature passed a second gay marriage bill two years later. In May 2008, the California Supreme Court overturned the 2000 law and same-sex couples were allowed to wed. But Proposition 8 overrode the court's decision by amending the state Constitution. Brown, the Democratic nominee who is seeking to replace Schwarzenegger when he is termed out of office this year, was more active than Schwarzenegger in supporting the lawsuit that led Walker to invalidate Proposition 8, submitting legal papers calling the ban unconstitutional. Brown also said Friday that it's time for gays to begin marrying again. "While there is still the potential for limited administrative burdens should future marriages of same-sex couples be later declared invalid, these potential burdens are outweighed by this court's conclusion, based on the overwhelming evidence, that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional," Brown said in his legal filing. The legal team of David Boies and Ted Olson, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of two gay couples that led to Walker's ruling, also submitted a motion in conjunction with the city of San Francisco, another plaintiff. They all argued that since the judge declared Proposition 8 to be illegal, gay couples should be able to marry now. Boies and Olson said gay couples "will continue to suffer irreparable harm if Proposition 8's irrational deprivation of their constitutional rights is prolonged." Santa Cruz County Clerk Gail Peelers, president of the California Association of Clerk and Elected Officials, said county agencies that issue marriage licenses will be ready to serve same-sex couples whenever they get the green light. During the window in 2008 when same-sex marriage was legal in California, the state changed its marriage license applications to be gender-neutral so applicants only had to check boxes indicating "bride" or "groom" if they chose to. At the same time, Peelers said local officials do not want to be in the position of being asked to issue licenses if Walker enforces his decision only to have an appeals court later impose a stay. It would be better for all involved to have the process be unambiguous, she said. "We don't want to issue a couple who are in love and want to get married a $75 license and then turn around a minute or a week later and say that license is no longer valid," she said. "We don't want anyone to be in the position of being led down that path." [1] http://www.365gay.com/news/schwarzenegger-releases-statement-on-prop-8-decision/ [2] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-Arnold-Schwarzenegger-top.jpg

Many researchers who studied the concept of “late-life lesbianism [1]” had previously concluded that these women had always been gay, but weren’t comfortable coming out until they were older, reports NPR. A new study led University of Utah professor Lisa Diamond to suggest that this is not the case. Diamond tracked a group of 79 women for 15 years; most of the women said they became attracted to women when they were in their late thirties. [2] From these women, Diamond has found that in fact these late-life lesbians had not in fact always been attracted to other women. “It does appear to be that women's erotic desires are pretty tightly linked to their emotional feelings. And so for some of these women, they authentically did not really feel attracted to women before they met one particular woman that they completely fell in love with,” said Diamond. She added, “I think it's hard to know whether that capacity actually becomes stronger over time. Probably what's a safer conclusion to draw is that as time goes on, women have more opportunities to discover that capacity.” Diamond said that in aging, women become more open-minded, meet more people and have a wider range of experiences, which can “create a context in which a woman might have always had that capacity to become attracted to women, but might never have had the opportunity until she reaches a certain stage in her life.” Some opponents to same-sex marriage have sited Diamond’s research as evidence that sexuality is a choice, but Diamond said that is not the right conclusion to draw from her work. “The problem there is the mistaken conflation of change with choice. The women that I have studied who have had these experiences did not experience them as chosen at all. So the idea that it's chosen is really the mistake there,” said Diamond. Diamond said the women were more confused than upset by their new feelings, and most of them said the experience was very satisfying. Diamond said, “Women would say, I don't know what's going on but, oh, I love this woman.” [1] http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129050832 [2] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/feat-smiling-lesbians-top.jpg